The air was thick with anticipation as I prepared for my mission. The objective was clear: gather information on a high-profile individual suspected of orchestrating illegal mining operations and wielding illicit weapons. For an average person, it would take two to three days to gather intel, but for someone classified as high-risk, it could take weeks. Initially, I hesitated, but when they mentioned I would be partnered with one of the best agents in the facility, I couldn't refuse.
"The mission starts tomorrow. You two will meet at the old warehouse. It's the perfect location for you to get the best view of the target," one of the informants had said, his voice steady and authoritative.
The next morning, I drove my motorcycle and sped toward the warehouse, the wind whipping through my hair. As I arrived, I took in the vast, empty space. "This is a good place to gather information," I thought, scanning the area for any signs of life.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before me, seemingly out of nowhere. My instincts kicked in, and I lunged forward, attempting to subdue him. I quickly had him pinned to the ground, but instead of fear, he laughed. "You're fast for a rookie. I guess that's why they named you the best rookie agent. Can you unhand me now?" he said, amusement dancing in his eyes.
I released him, confusion swirling in my mind. "Who are you? Are you my partner for today?"
"Yes, I am. You can call me Jacob," he replied, extending his hand. I shook it, introducing myself as Sam.
"Nice to meet you, Sam! You're a serious girl; you didn't even smile. I'm excited to work with you," he said, his grin infectious.
His words reminded me of the curse that loomed over me, a dark shadow cast by Katara. I had learned long ago that my smile could bring death, a lesson learned through painful experiences. Even when my father had finally fed me after a week of hunger, I couldn't bring myself to smile at him.
While I was lost in thought, Jacob busied himself setting up his equipment. I pulled out my binoculars and began scanning the building, then opened my laptop to search for blueprints and any information that could aid our mission. I discovered that the warehouse had been built in 2001 by a tech company and sold in 2010 to the very person we were investigating. But beyond that, I found nothing.
Frustrated, I continued to observe the security around the building. Jacob suddenly appeared beside me, catching me off guard. "Why are you so serious?" he asked, his tone light.
I shot him an annoyed glance. "I need to gather information immediately to stop the illegal mining operation."
"Isn't it too early?" he replied, unfazed. "We still need to finish organizing the equipment. I'm actually surprised at how spacious this warehouse is."
I thought to myself, "Why isn't he taking this mission seriously?"
"Oh, and don't rush," he continued. "The high-class individual we're after will arrive tomorrow at exactly 4 AM at the entrance of the building. No one can enter without his permission, so it's best if we start early tomorrow and spy on him to learn the access code."
"Wait, how do you know all of this?" I asked, my surprise evident.
"I know some people," he replied with a casual shrug.
I felt my annoyance bubble over. "Finally! I can see that face of yours," he said, a teasing lilt in his voice.
"What face? Huh? What do you mean?" I shot back, trying to mask my embarrassment.
"That annoyed face," he chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. My cheeks flushed, and I quickly turned back to my station, desperate to hide my reaction.
As I focused on my gadgets, I noticed Jacob using a sleek, gray device that hovered above the building, blending seamlessly with the sky. My curiosity piqued, I approached him. "Hey, what is that?"
"Oh, this? It helps me control my powers when I'm using it," he replied nonchalantly.
"Wait, you have powers?" I asked, intrigued.
"Yeah. When I look at a person, I can see their memories in a flash. In short, I can gather information instantly," he explained.
Suddenly, everything clicked into place. "Now I understand why he knew the target would arrive at 4 AM," I thought. "The agency definitely chose the right man for this mission."
After a few minutes of preparation, I decided to head to the rooftop for a better vantage point. Jacob followed me, his presence both reassuring and irritating. As we climbed, I couldn't shake the feeling that this mission would change everything.
As we reached the rooftop, I took a deep breath, the cool air filling